It's been a long time since Death had its moment in the spotlight. Fourteen years after the last entry and 25 years after the original film's debut, Final Destination: Bloodlines slices its way back into theaters with a vengeance, and a few clever tricks up its blood-soaked sleeve. The sixth film in the enduring horror series revives its core concept with fresh faces, a generational twist, and all the elaborate kills fans have come to crave.

At its core, the "Final Destination" formula hasn't changed. A character receives a vision of imminent doom, avoids it at the last second, and then watches in horror as fate corrects course one brutal death at a time. What sets "Bloodlines" apart is how it stretches the story across generations. Stephanie Reyes, a college student played with surprising emotional range by Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game), begins having vivid nightmares about a disaster that occurred in 1968. The twist? These visions are memories from her grandmother Iris (Brec Bassinger; Bella and the Bulldogs/Gabrielle Rose; The Sweet Hereafter), who narrowly avoided death during a catastrophic event at a newly opened observation tower.

Iris's warning doesn't come soon enough. As Stephanie connects the dots through her grandmother's eerie journals, she discovers that fate hasn't just been hunting the original survivors, it's now targeting their descendants. Her family tree has become a hit list.

While the franchise is built on shock value and suspense, this installment adds something new to the mix: legacy. The decision to focus on bloodlines gives the narrative some weight that previous entries lacked. The storytelling benefits from this added depth, especially as Stephanie tries to warn her fractured family, only to see her warnings dismissed, until the bodies start dropping in gruesome fashion.

Filmmakers Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein (Freaks) clearly understand the DNA of the franchise. They embrace the series' outrageous tone but temper it with just enough emotional resonance to give the carnage a sense of consequence. Writers Guy Busick(Ready or Not), Lori Evans Taylor (Cellar Door), and Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming) lean into the lore without overwhelming it, crafting a story that feels both nostalgic and new.

A real draw to this film is the set pieces. "Bloodlines" brings back the franchise's signature flair for transforming everyday objects into lethal weapons in absurd, roundabout ways. The deaths are choreographed with precision, although some require a suspension of disbelief. However, even that is just part of the fun with the film.

The 4K Dolby Vision presentation is rich and detailed, especially during the mayhem. Blood pops with alarming vibrancy, while shadows and low-light moments retain depth and clarity. Occasionally, digital effects clash with practical work, but it's rarely enough to pull viewers out of the moment.

On the audio side, the Dolby Atmos mix is spectacular. The height channels and surround sound are used not just for spectacle but to heighten tension. Subtle creaks, whispers, and metallic snaps build a strong sense of foreboding, and when the chaos hits, the room shakes. Composer Tim Wynn (The Curse of La Llorona) delivers a haunting score that underscores the panic without resorting to cliché.

Santa Juana holds the film together with a grounded performance that balances dread, determination, and grief. She's a worthy final girl in a franchise often criticized for its paper-thin characters. Brec Bassinger, in a dual-era role as young Iris, gives the film heart, and Richard Harmon (The 100) adds a jolt of energy in key moments.

Of course, no "Final Destination" would feel complete without the ominous presence of Tony Todd (Candyman). His final performance as Bludworth is haunting, bringing gravitas to a role that could easily feel like fan service, and his final monologue (which was unscripted, allowing the actor to speak from his heart) was quiet, cryptic, and deeply moving. A fitting goodbye. For long-time fans, it's a moment that lands with emotional impact.

While the home release boasts an excellent technical presentation, the bonus features leave much to be desired. Aside from a solid commentary by the directors and a brief tribute to Todd, there's little in the way of in-depth behind-the-scenes content.

Bonus Content Includes:

Director Commentary
"Death Becomes Them" (6 min featurette)
"The Many Deaths of Bloodlines" (7 min featurette)
"The Legacy of Bludworth" (5 min tribute to Tony Todd)

"Final Destination: Bloodlines" is tense, gleefully gory, and surprisingly thoughtful in its exploration of how trauma, fate, and family intertwine. While a few of the death setups lean too far into the ridiculous, the film's inventiveness and heart make up for its more cartoonish moments. By focusing on legacy, both within its story and as a revival of a long-dormant franchise, it manages to feel like both a continuation and a rebirth. The final result is a reminder of what drew us to this franchise in the first place.

I recommend "Final Destination: Bloodlines" for fans of the franchise and general horror lovers alike.

Grade B